Customer-Acquisition Risk from Search-Engine Algorithm Changes
First written in FY2023. 4 of 6 entries say "Restated". Latest entry: FY2026.
The whole theme swung hardest in 2025: 10 of 27 companies on the "Worse" side.
31 other companies' latest entry also says "Restated".
- FY2026RestatedAnnual report
「The web media and content operated by the platform business attract users from major search engines such as Google. We take necessary measures, including SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, which means increasing the number of visitors to a site from search engines to improve website performance. However, we recognize that if a search engine changes its logic and the order in which search results are displayed changes, this may affect traffic to our web media and content.」
The Company continues to disclose its dependence on search-engine traffic and the risk of algorithm changes, citing SEO measures as a response. - FY2024RestatedAnnual report
「We recognize that if a search engine changes its logic and the order in which search results are displayed changes, this may affect traffic to our web media and content and may have a certain impact on the Group’s performance.」
The Company continues to disclose this risk, following the actual decline in page views, media-service revenue, and operating income caused by a change in Google’s search algorithm. - FY2024-Q3RestatedAnnual report
「During the nine months ended December 31, the counseling service expanded steadily as the Group acquired new members through the acquisition of high-quality fortune tellers and counselors and proactive promotional investment. However, page views declined in the media service following a change in the search algorithm logic.」
The Company continues to report lower page views and adverse effects on the media service following a change in search-algorithm logic. - FY2024-Q2RestatedAnnual report
「Meanwhile, page views declined in the media service within the platform business following a change in the logic of Google’s search algorithm, adversely affecting revenue and operating income for the service.」
The Company continues to report lower page views and adverse effects on revenue and operating income following changes to Google’s search algorithm. - FY2024-Q1MaterialisedAnnual report
「Meanwhile, page views declined in the media service within the platform business following a change in the logic of Google’s search algorithm, adversely affecting revenue and operating income for the service.」
The search-engine algorithm risk materialized, with lower page views adversely affecting revenue and operating income. - FY2023First statedAnnual report
「We recognize that if a search engine changes its logic and the order in which search results are displayed changes, this may affect traffic to our web media and content and may have a certain impact on the Group’s performance.」
The Group depends on search engines to attract media traffic and indicates that changes in rankings may affect performance.